Wichita eagle., 1887-09-06


interests of the United States during the first
half of the present century were compare
lively small and unimportant. In 1910 the
first effort was made to classify them, and at
that date the value of products for the year
was little less than 500, Zoo. Our people
were scattered in isolated communities, the
inequalities of condition were not great and
the pressure OF recent years substantially
| sink more Each rural settlement had its
| own blacksmith, shoemaker and wheel
wright, the employer worked with his men,
| and all enjoyed practical social equality
with their agricultural patrons. In
the New England states once a
year all gathered in town
meetings, and jointly discussed and voted
appropriations to be expended for the public
good during the ensuing year. The lawyer
and the preacher might possess little more
than the average amount of influence, but
not much. and any undue authority attempt
ed by either was speedily checked by the
| sturdy blacksmiths or tie hard handed far
| mer. All felt that they had joint interest
| in the'affairs of the community and had a
right to be heard.
But with the advent of railroads and the
| utilizing of steam as the mightiest servant
yet brought under mans control, these
things gradually changed. 1t seems to be
| the chief aim of man to escape from the
primal curse, and if any other power can be
substituted for his own muscle he hastens to
adopt it. And so, as the capabilities of this
new servant became better known these
capabilities were utilized. Machines were
invented to supercede the labor Of the human
hand; the means of er-communica-
tion multiplied with the construction
of the new iron highways. Men
gathered in larger and still larger COM
munities, and their wants were supplied
with ever increasing facility. Yet with
every invention intended to lessen toll, fewer
men were required, and the surplus was COM
PEELED to seek now channels of occupation,
which fortunately were constantly opening,
or failing in this, to take up round OF
search for precurious and uncertain occu-
patton 4 In the first national
labor report issued last fall, Col. Wright,
then commissioner, introduced figures show
ing the great benefit to be derived from i'm
proved machinery. While he conceded that
the working people have been greatly bene-
flied, he thinks they have not received an
equitable share, and that this is what causes
the present discomfort and the extended agi
tation of the labor question as it is termed"
In the declaration OF principles Of the great
est organization of working people the world
has yet seen-the Knights of Labor-will be
found demand upon the several state gov
ernments for ''the establishment Of Bureaus
of Labor Statistics that we may arrive at
correct knowledge of the educational, moral
and financial condition of the laboring
masses"
SIN compliance with this demand the state
of Kansas has created bureau. And in
this connection / propose to tell you what
other states have done in
he same direc ton
After showing the success achieved in
other states through the labor bureau he In
conclusion said; Tracing the history Of the
laborer, as we find him first q slave, whose
life was at the disposal of his master, then a
serf bound to the soil where on he first drew
breath. Next, while nominally free the
laborer was opposed by laws Of every
kind and degree. But these laws have grad
ually been repealed, and today the rights of |
labor are being rapidly recognized. Laws
to protect rather than to Cypress are finding |
place upon the statute books of many of our |
states, and although the laborer may feel
that more are needed he can safely trust that
4 judicious uss of his political rights Will
surely bring them as rapidly as he himself
becomes educated to know definitely what it
IS that he really wants, and what it is that
will best improve his condition"
When he had taken his seat Col. Croker
arose and after paying glowing tribute to
he Wichita, which he styled the queen scity
Of the state, he said that it was under such
as these to-day that the city
appears in her glory. 1t was labor that
made this city such, as is the laborers that
any great and lasting good; it
was industry that made this the greatest city
Of the state and gave it one of the most phe-
nominal growth that the world has of late
years SEEN He spoke of the great need OF
-aising the dignity of labor and giving it the
position it deserves second to nothing else.
He denounced the present lagislations made
n favor of capital and to the detriment Of
abor.
DR.. Walling, wealthy farmer liv-
ug in South Harm township |
Sumner county was next introduced. He
spoke of the present condition of labor; the
great good accomplished in the past and
present by means OF the laborers. "The
Workmen," he gays, shave today by their
brain and muscle produced this great city,
this great country eve are today" he
continues, preparing men not only to adorn
the cities but we are preparing them to bless
the people with emancipation of the indus
trial classes. We don't propose to do this by |
fanatici.m and dynamite, but by a system o:
legislation that will give an equalization OF
citizenship. We propose to do this by in
stilling love of home and country" "Ths |
,sars lin their scourses will light us
the PRAYERS of the people win be with Us and
the flag of the nation will protect us. At
DUR hesrthstones and fresides and not by the |
slate of the politicians viii be made out the
tickets that will in the future rule the des-
tiny of the nation
Mr.. Leo L. ReddinS made a short address
IN which he spoke Of the cause and the great |
credit due the workingmAn for what he has |